Royals Invited To Beijing Following Mourning

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (L) and Queen mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk sit on the royal float as they transport urns with some of the cremains of former late King Norodom Sihanouk from a crematorium to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh February 7, 2013. Some of Sihanouk's ashes were scattered near the confluence of the four rivers in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, while others were put in three urns, which, according to his wishes, will be placed on the grounds of the royal palace, media reported.

12.02.2013
By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer

PHNOM PENH - Members of the royal family, including King Norodom Sihamoni and the widow of former king Norodom Sihanouk, will leave for China later this month, following mourning ceremonies for the late monarch, officials said Monday.

The king has been invited to Beijing in a show of support for China and continued relations with Cambodian royalty, royal officials said.

“The Chinese government invited the king to show him that the relationship between China and Cambodia is still the same after the King Father passed,” said Nhiek Bun Chhay, secretary general of the royalist party Funcinpec.

Funcinpec President Keo Puth Reaksmey and his wife will also travel with the royals, Nhiek Bun Chhay said.

Prince Sisowath Thomico, former adviser to the late Sihanouk, said King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath will have their normal medical check-ups in Beijing, which take place every two years.